How to use this glossary
Most misunderstandings in vacuum sourcing come from a number given without its unit, its test method or its condition. A suction figure without the nozzle state, a noise figure without the distance, a filter named without a grade: all are common in marketing and all are impossible to compare. The terms below are grouped so that you can check each datasheet line against a definition. Where a standard defines the term, the standard is named; the desk does not issue certificates, and documents come from the partner plant and are verified per project.
Performance terms
| Term | Meaning | Reading tip |
|---|---|---|
| Pa, kPa | Pressure difference at the nozzle, measured sealed. 1 kPa = 1,000 Pa | Cordless sticks commonly quote 15-30 kPa, robots about 2,000-6,000 Pa; not comparable without the same method |
| Airflow, L/s, CFM | Volume of air moved with the opening free; CFM is cubic feet per minute | Matters for carpet and long hoses; ask for it with the pressure |
| Sealed suction | Pressure with the inlet fully blocked | Maximum of the fan curve, not a cleaning result |
| Input power, W | Electrical power drawn by the machine | Not the same as suction; EU rules cap rated input of mains household vacuums |
| dB(A) | A-weighted sound level | Cordless sticks are typically 65-80 dB(A); quote the distance, mode and method such as IEC 60704-2-1 |
| IEC 62885 | Series of vacuum cleaner performance test methods | For example 62885-2 for dry household and 62885-7 for robots |
| Runtime | Minutes of operation on one charge | Always ask which power mode and attachment |
The relationship of pressure to flow is explained in the suction and airflow guide, and a short article on how to read vacuum specs shows how to apply it to a datasheet.
Filtration terms
- HEPA
- A class of high-efficiency particulate air filters. The grades are defined by EN 1822 and ISO 29463. Write the grade rather than just the word.
- H11, H12, H13, H14
- EN 1822 grades. H13 captures at least 99.95% of particles at the most penetrating particle size and H14 at least 99.995%. It describes the filter media on a test rig, not the whole machine.
- MPPS
- Most penetrating particle size, the size at which a filter is least efficient and at which its grade is measured.
- Pre-filter
- A foam or mesh stage ahead of the main filter that protects the motor and extends the life of the finer filter.
- Cyclone
- A chamber that spins the air so heavier dirt drops into a bin without a bag. See what is a cyclonic vacuum.
- Bypass
- Air that reaches the exhaust without passing through the filter because of a leak. It is why seals matter as much as the grade.
Filter grades are covered in the filtration grades guide.
Motor, battery and power terms
- Universal motor
- A brushed motor that runs on mains power. Simple and low cost, with carbon brushes that wear. Common in corded machines.
- BLDC
- Brushless DC motor, driven by an electronic controller. Typical in cordless and robot machines at about 90,000-120,000 rpm, more efficient and quieter, with no brushes to wear.
- Bypass motor and in-line fan
- Designs in which the working air does not or does pass through the motor windings. Bypass types are used in central and commercial units.
- mAh and Wh
- Battery capacity. Milliamp hours depend on voltage, so compare packs by watt hours. Typical stick packs are 21.6-25.2 V and 2,000-4,000 mAh.
- 18650 and 21700
- Cell sizes by diameter and length in millimetres; the lithium-ion cells used in packs.
- BMS
- Battery management system, the board that monitors voltage, current and temperature in a pack and cuts off in fault conditions.
See the vacuum motor and vacuum battery pack pages for the options, and the battery runtime guide for how runtime is set.
Standards and regulation terms
| Term | What it covers |
|---|---|
| IEC/EN 60335-2-2 | Safety requirements for vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning appliances, used with IEC 60335-1 |
| UL 1017 | North American safety standard for vacuum cleaners; ETL and cETL are alternative listing routes |
| CE (LVD, EMC, RoHS) | European conformity route; REACH covers chemicals in materials |
| ErP 666/2013 | EU ecodesign rules for mains-operated household vacuums; cordless machines are outside the scope |
| UN 38.3 | Transport tests for lithium batteries |
| IEC 62133-2, UL 2054 | Safety standards for lithium cells and packs |
| CE RED, FCC | Radio rules for products with wireless modules, in Europe and the United States |
| ATEX | Explosive-atmosphere route, a separate certification path |
The market-by-market view is in the certifications guide.
Phrases to read with care
Some wording on datasheets and listings looks technical but has no fixed meaning. Max suction usually means the highest figure the machine reaches in its strongest mode, which may last only a few minutes on a battery. Cyclone power or turbo describe a feature, not a measured result. Washable filter says nothing about the filter grade. Whole-house or deep clean describe use, not performance. Low noise is meaningful only with a stated dB(A) figure, distance and mode. When you meet such a phrase, ask which number, which method and which model it refers to, and have the answer confirmed in writing before the specification is frozen.
Sourcing terms
- MOQ
- Minimum order quantity per model. Typical references: public-mould household machines 200-500 units, private label about 500-1,000, new ODM tooling about 1,000-3,000 plus a mould cost, and commercial or industrial machines from about 20-100 units. Confirmed in writing for each program.
- OEM
- A plant builds an existing or customised product with the buyer's brand. Often called private label when only branding, packaging and manuals change.
- ODM
- The plant designs the product, and the buyer sells it under its own brand. New tooling means a higher MOQ and a longer lead time.
- FCL, LCL
- Full container load and less than container load. Vacuums are bulky, so FCL sea freight is the norm; samples go by courier.
- HS code
- The customs classification, for example 8508.11, 8508.19, 8508.60 for vacuums and 8508.70 for parts. The exact code is confirmed with the customs broker.
- ISO 9001, BSCI
- A quality management system and a social compliance audit scheme that partner plants commonly hold; verified per project.
For the full process read OEM and private label and MOQ and lead time. When a term in a quotation is unclear, send it through the quote form and the desk will explain it in writing.